Need opinions on sick bird.

[willowbranchfarm]

They could because there are many in that area.

Well then that might be it.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I will read it, but the vet told me last year that it was just water fowl that get that. I had two ducks trying to drown in their pool last year around this time.... He knows I have many chickens, and said that they could not get it, but that is what it looks like to me too!

Maybe you misunderstood your vet or possibly he was speaking of a specific strain of the disease. If he did say that chickens can't get botulism, then you might want to search for another vet as chickens most certainly can get it. In fact, the vet manual page has a picture of a chicken with the disease on it. Other animals and humans can contract it, as well.

 

[Chasity]

Well then that might be it.

I hope you are right because strained muscles will heal. I now have 3 in sick bay, but one is with the bird that was purchased with her (NOT completely isolated). She caught her leg in the cage wire and was scared.

She should pull through, but when they are injured they literally get ran over. The other one with the hurt leg is in a temporary run in the yard till dark or bad weather.

This is just not my day... I started in tears with my Kindergartner going off to his class on his own this morning, and then came home, and I really just want to bury my head right now.

I keep making rounds in the yard to check on every one, but I am so anxious and afraid of what I will see next. I did add a smaller mesh to the hutch that the one was stuck in earlier. Wait till the guys all get home tonight... They think I do nothing all day because they are not here to chase after!

I was going to feed, water, turn loose and go to the Y to do the heated pool for my neck. Maybe some laundry, and cook. Blaaaaaaaaa on all..... We will see. ????

 

[willowbranchfarm]

I didnt know much about botulism so I just figured chickens couldnt get it since thats what your vet said but I just found this after reading mtnlaurl post saying they can.....

Clinical Signs/Field Signs

The pattern of damage occurs because the toxin affects nerves that are firing more often. For example, the inhibition of the release of Acetylcholine from motor neurons results in a loss of muscle function and paralysis. In poultry and wild birds, flaccid paralysis is usually seen in the legs, wings, neck (twisting) and eyelids. Broiler chickens with the toxicoinfectious form may also have diarrhea with excess urates and respiratory problems.
Healthy birds, affected birds, and dead birds in various stages of decay are commonly found in the same area.
Consequently, birds are unable to use their wings and legs normally or control the third eyelid, neck muscles, and other muscles. Birds with paralyzed neck muscles cannot hold their heads up and often drown. Death can also result from water deprivation, electrolyte imbalance, respiratory failure, or predation.​

 

[Chasity]

Maybe you misunderstood your vet or possibly he was speaking of a specific strain of the disease. If he did say that chickens can't get botulism, then you might want to search for another vet as chickens most certainly can get it. In fact, the vet manual page has a picture of a chicken with the disease on it. Other animals and humans can contract it, as well.

I believe it was C, so it was a particular strain. I will definitely read it. I may need to run her for a shot, and there would be decaying matter in the run as it is so open. I guess i need to take a walk with a shovel and bucket to look for uneaten, or part eaten corn and tomatoes and such.... I'm not sure if she has gotten hurt or this, but I should cover all my bases to be safe!

TY

 

[Chasity]

I didn't know much about botulism so I just figured chickens couldnt get it since thats what your vet said but I just found this after reading mtnlaurl post saying they can.....

Clinical Signs/Field Signs

The pattern of damage occurs because the toxin affects nerves that are firing more often. For example, the inhibition of the release of Acetylcholine from motor neurons results in a loss of muscle function and paralysis. In poultry and wild birds, flaccid paralysis is usually seen in the legs, wings, neck (twisting) and eyelids. Broiler chickens with the toxicoinfectious form may also have diarrhea with excess urates and respiratory problems.
Healthy birds, affected birds, and dead birds in various stages of decay are commonly found in the same area.
Consequently, birds are unable to use their wings and legs normally or control the third eyelid, neck muscles, and other muscles. Birds with paralyzed neck muscles cannot hold their heads up and often drown. Death can also result from water deprivation, electrolyte imbalance, respiratory failure, or predation.​

TY for all your help too!
I am going to go back out again and look around for decaying food. I would like to isolate not birds, but the problem. Then I will just tend to any that are sick and see what I can do to keep them nourished. The ducks did almost drown last year. They were even tripping over their feet and falling. So... I need to watch the flock and see if there are any more acting odd. I will come back on later for an up date. It looks like I have a busy day ahead of me if I want to get in front of this thing.

Until later...

 

[Mtn Laurel]

When I lost my hen, she was fine at night and the next morning found partially paralyzed under the roost with her neck twisted about. We were in the middle of 100+ heat wave and I had just put them into a part of the yard that was shaded and had lots of old leaves from last fall. Thought they'd love digging about in old leaves and they did love it. It was later that I learned that botulism is naturally found in the soil, even more in leaf litter, compost, etc., and is made worse by the heat.

I also had their food stored in a black plastic garbage can that was sitting in full sun. I never saw evidence of mold on any food but I ditched all of it anyway and bought new. It's now kept in the house in a controlled environment where it can't get wet or too hot.

None of my other chickens came down sick but this one bird had previously had a bad case of tapeworms and was smaller than the others. I'm guessing she didn't have the strength to fight it off and was more susceptible to disease. No, I didn't have a necropsy done but botulism was the only thing that fit her set of symptoms.

Can't say for sure that's what's wrong with your chick but the picture looks similar. I sure hope that she is able to recover. Please keep us informed!

 

[Cotton42]

Sounds like botulism to me. I have a bird that is sick with it right now too. The best thing you can do for her is flush her system by mixing a teaspoon of Epsom salt with one ounce of water and give it too her with an eye dropper or syringe. Do it slowly so she doesn't aspirate it into her lungs. If you catch it early enough she should recover in a few days. I didn't figure out what was wrong with my girl for 5 days and am now hoping beyond hope that with good supportive care she will pull through. Good luck!!!

 

[ChickenJerk]

Probably Marek's disease. Sebrights are known to be more susceptible than some other breeds.
BTW not bad lacing for a hatchery bird.

 

[Chasity]

When I lost my hen, she was fine at night and the next morning found partially paralyzed under the roost with her neck twisted about. We were in the middle of 100+ heat wave and I had just put them into a part of the yard that was shaded and had lots of old leaves from last fall. Thought they'd love digging about in old leaves and they did love it. It was later that I learned that botulism is naturally found in the soil, even more in leaf litter, compost, etc., and is made worse by the heat.

I also had their food stored in a black plastic garbage can that was sitting in full sun. I never saw evidence of mold on any food but I ditched all of it anyway and bought new. It's now kept in the house in a controlled environment where it can't get wet or too hot.

None of my other chickens came down sick but this one bird had previously had a bad case of tapeworms and was smaller than the others. I'm guessing she didn't have the strength to fight it off and was more susceptible to disease. No, I didn't have a necropsy done but botulism was the only thing that fit her set of symptoms.

Can't say for sure that's what's wrong with your chick but the picture looks similar. I sure hope that she is able to recover. Please keep us informed!

I will! I just checked on the others again, and everyone is happy fat and sassy. She is a Bantam, and this may leave her more vulnerable, as she is not as heavy as most. There are only 5 in that run her size including her. They do have a lot of decaying trees there as well. That is how we keep them cool in the 100 + weather.
I tried to post pics, but it is not working since the two I put up earlier.

I just sold (30 + 28 birds) the past 2 weekends, and The reason I took the other 28 so close together, was because the run kept getting so muddy that I did not think it would be healthy. I tried to turn the soil to get better drainage and all, but it kept raining, and I could not do it every day, so I bathed them and off they went to new homes. I have pulled a few fence jumping birds out of there. One of them daily. They are not sick though! I planted rye grass, and other edible seeds in the muddy run after it was closed. I planned on keeping it closed for about 4 weeks (at least). I thought that was prevention, and I am wondering if this bird got back in that one and I did not know about it? She does not look as bad as the ducks did. I guess all I can do is take care of them and watch out for anything out of the ordinary. There is no way I can rake the entire hen run by myself in one day. We are talking at least 7,1612 square feet area. My neck would not make it through that. The welded wire fence is over 300 feet around their area. That is why I call it a habitat. Even the fence jumpers usually go back to the house at night with little effort from me. The hen house has 32 nesting boxes, so there is always one open when they come in to roost. We have made such effort that it still kills me a little when one is hurt or sick. I'm glad it is not too often.